- Homeless in the Snow
Last night in a Paris buried under the snow, a friend of mine found a homeless person in front of his building. He was crying and screaming in agony that he could no longer bear the cold and was pleading to anyone who would listen to give him shelter. My friend let him in to his building, lent him a sleeping bag and gave him a coffee. He allowed him to sleep in the hallway next to his apartment door.
After a few minutes with the man, my friend recognized him. This was an ex-neighbor. Since his divorce he has been living on the street. He works in the suburbs for 1400€/ euros per month and pays child support and a pension of 500€ to his ex-wife. His ex-wife is apparently still living in the building. He, cannot afford to rent a space, nor are there any spaces available. Paris is in dire need of new living spaces to keep up with the demand.
A sad caveat. When my friend called the Emergency Number 115 for the Homeless, they told him that they could not come to get him as he was now in a private residence, thus out of their jurisdiction!!!
We are in the middle of the French Presidential Elections and I have not heard one immediate and credible solution to the housing crisis. This is a National Embarrassment!
I am angry, we are angry!
It is about time for Action and NOW!
